Ruger Mini-14 223 or 5.56

[stinger 327]

My Mini is marked "5.56 NATO" over the chamber. I have put over a thousand rounds through it with only a couple of stoppages. (failure to feed). I am very happy with it. It is not as accurate as an AR, but then, what is?

Mine did not have the 5.56 markings on it.

 

[stinger 327]

I have one of the newer 581 series minis, I have no problem killing coyotes out to 250 and 300 yards with my reloads. Not a bench gun, but a fine carbine.

How do you know what series you have? When did the 581 series come out?
Is that by year or whether its a blue finish or stainless finish?

"Minis are at the local Walmart here for $699".
"I have the 582 model. Ranch rifle is the accurate description".

Wal-Mart used to sell guns here in CAlifornia but not anymore.

 

[stinger 327]

I will differ from the above opinions.

A friend and I each bought new Mini-14s in 2010, and these rifles have the heavier tapered barrel.

His is a stainless Ranch Rifle, mounting a 3-9X Leupold scope. Mine is a Davidson's special-run "Deluxe" model in a Circassian walnut stock and carrying a Leupold Mark AR 1-4X sight.

BOTH of these rifles shoot very close to the one-inch mark at 100 yards. I once watched my friend fire five consecutive five-round groups, and all five were right at the one-inch span or slightly over.... maybe 1.25" maximum. My own rifle does much the same.

ALL our shooting has used handloaded 55-grain Hornady V-Max bullets, with absolutely no factory loads fired to date.

This is a good bit better than the performance I've had from earlier "straight-barrel" Minis in the past.

So the newer Mini-14's are less prone to the problems I experienced and more accurate than older models?

 

[stinger 327]

I have like new Mini from 1993. I am fortunate in that it is fairly accurate and stable as the barrel heats. Unfortunately it is not functionally reliable.

I believe the Mini-14 is the standard issue rifle for the California Department of Corrections.

 

[nstoolman1]

I bought a Model 181 new for $136 from Andrews Sporting Goods, City of Tustin. The heel is marked Cal. 223. It shoots as well as it did new and has never failed to take squirrels or rabbits (scope) at 50 to 75 yards.

 

[stinger 327]

Never heard of Model 181 just Min-14 .223 standard or Ranch model.

 

[JDGray]

He's referring to the serial number...
My 184 serial number was built in 1985

 

[stinger 327]

He's referring to the serial number...
My 184 serial number was built in 1985

I believe mine is 195 that I bought new in 1998.

 

[stinger 327]

I bought a Model 181 new for $136 from Andrews Sporting Goods, City of Tustin. The heel is marked Cal. 223. It shoots as well as it did new and has never failed to take squirrels or rabbits (scope) at 50 to 75 yards.

That is super accurate compared to what I have and I have a Nikon Buckmaster BDC scope on it.

 

[tark]

I goofed. The 5.56 NATO is stamped on the rear of the receiver, not over the chamber.

 

[splithoof]

i have a very early production version chambered in .222 Remington (YES you read that correctly, .222). It is reasonably accurate, and reliable. It is however a safe queen, destined to be a part of my kid's college funding plan.
I also have a much newer Ranch version in stainless, with a folding Choate stock that is very solid and durable. Coupled with a Mini Scout Mount, Leopold 2.5 IER optic, quality sling, and factory magazines, it has proven 100% reliable, and fairly accurate as well. When I want a rapid-fire carbine, I prefer it to the AR platform, it works well for me.

 

[stinger 327]

i have a very early production version chambered in .222 Remington (YES you read that correctly, .222). It is reasonably accurate, and reliable. It is however a safe queen, destined to be a part of my kid's college funding plan.
I also have a much newer Ranch version in stainless, with a folding Choate stock that is very solid and durable. Coupled with a Mini Scout Mount, Leopold 2.5 IER optic, quality sling, and factory magazines, it has proven 100% reliable, and fairly accurate as well. When I want a rapid-fire carbine, I prefer it to the AR platform, it works well for me.

What is the vintage of both of these Mini-14's?

 

[stinger 327]

I goofed. The 5.56 NATO is stamped on the rear of the receiver, not over the chamber.

What is the difference between 5.56 NATO round and the .223 round?
Which caliber round is more powerful, longer range and accurate?

 

[Art Eatman]

stinger, the difference is not so much the cartridge as it is about how the chamber is cut. The 5.56 chamber has a bit more leade than for a purely .223. Thus, 5.56 GI ammo in a .223 chamber can have higher pressures as the bullet is closer to the rifling.

 

[splithoof]

The vintage of the .222 example is from the early 1970's, although i have seen a newer example in an auction. My understanding is that .222 examples were for export to countries that don't allow citizens to own firearms in military calibers.
The vintage of the later example is from the current model line, only a couple of years old. In several thousand rounds of various factory, surplus ball, hunting loads, and a varied mix of reloads, the rifle has never experienced a single malfunction.
I like where all the controls are located, the action type, and it's ease of use. When I reach for a rifle in .223/5.56, this is the one I take.

 

[stinger 327]

The vintage of the .222 example is from the early 1970's, although i have seen a newer example in an auction. My understanding is that .222 examples were for export to countries that don't allow citizens to own firearms in military calibers.
The vintage of the later example is from the current model line, only a couple of years old. In several thousand rounds of various factory, surplus ball, hunting loads, and a varied mix of reloads, the rifle has never experienced a single malfunction.
I like where all the controls are located, the action type, and it's ease of use. When I reach for a rifle in .223/5.56, this is the one I take.

I guess the one I got was a lemon.

 

[Art Eatman]

stinger, I had four of the early Minis. Two blued; two stainless. I always mounted a K-4 on them. First three or so shots, 1.5 MOA. Never, ever any sort of malfunction.

No idea why, but 1970s/1980s "high-cap" magazines for the Minis were quite reliable and reasonably priced. I even had one 40-round mag which functioned reliably. (I dunno why I bought it, though ).

 

[stinger 327]

stinger, I had four of the early Minis. Two blued; two stainless. I always mounted a K-4 on them. First three or so shots, 1.5 MOA. Never, ever any sort of malfunction.

No idea why, but 1970s/1980s "high-cap" magazines for the Minis were quite reliable and reasonably priced. I even had one 40-round mag which functioned reliably. (I dunno why I bought it, though ).

I used all different types of magazines from factory ones to aftermarket and the results were the same. Couldn't get consistent groupings after barrel heated up.

 

[Art Eatman]

"Couldn't get consistent groupings after barrel heated up."

Yup. That's why the Minis were great for hunting or plinking, but not for punching paper.

 

[stinger 327]

"Couldn't get consistent groupings after barrel heated up."

Yup. That's why the Minis were great for hunting or plinking, but not for punching paper.

So even the brand new ones made today are the same?
Is this the reason they make replacement barrels or I forget what they call them competition barrels with cooling fins on barrel for Mini-14?

Do they really work to solve this erratic placement of shots fired?

 

[Art Eatman]

Dunno the changeover date, but the later barrels are thicker and wander less than the early "Skinny Mini" versions of my experience.

 

[stinger 327]

Dunno the changeover date, but the later barrels are thicker and wander less than the early "Skinny Mini" versions of my experience.

What about those aftermarket barrel I mentioned that are thicker with slots in the barrel which must be for cooling?
Do they solve this problem? Can I get consistent groupings?
What is BATFE? No I am not BATFE or is it ATF?

 

[Art Eatman]

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. BATFE.

My only personal experience with Minis is the early versions. Anything later, you'll note I specify, "I've read..."

 

[JDGray]

A few companies offer clamp on barrel stabilizers, supposed to vastly improve the heating up issues. I'll get one for mine if I ever try to make a bench gun out of my fun blaster Without a scope, and shooting off hand, I doubt I'll ever need one....